Drug suspect Ricardo Parojinog nabbed in Taiwan —PNP

The Philippine National Police on Thursday morning confirmed the arrest in Taiwan of Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo "Ardot" Parojinog, brother of late Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. 

Taiwan police arrested Parojinog on Wednesday night according to PNP Drug Enforcement Group director Chief Superintendent Albert Ignatius Ferro.

“I’m still waiting for the report from the operatives and it was confirmed by Gen Ferro that Ardot Parojinog was allegedly arrested last night by Taiwan Police,” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said.

In a press briefing, Bulalacao said Ricardo was nabbed for illegal entry in Taiwan and due to International Police's Red Notice. He will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and Republic Act No. 9516 Illegal Possession of Explosives.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with the Taiwan government for the deportation of Ricardo.

"Kami naman dito sa PNP is happy because somehow magagawa na namin 'yung dapat naming gawin against him. He has to face several cases for violation of RA 10591, a case for violation against RA 9516 and just recently yung kanyang bahay daw nung ni-raid ng CIDG ay napagalamanan na meron siyang naging kaso din na theft of electricity," Bulalacao said.

Authorities are still investigating on when and how Ricardo fled the country.

"That is something that is being investigated by the DFA and if in case DFA finds out that he left the country through the backdoor, magkakaroon din siya ng problema," Bulalacao said.

"We do not know how he managed to leave the country, kung it was through fishing vessels o whatever mode of transportation." 

The PNP will also investigate if a Taiwanese triad member had harbored Ricardo.

"Isa rin sa dapat imbestigahan ng PNP 'yon kung totoo yung report na 'yon, pero sa ngayon wala pa kaming pinanghahawakang dokumento o ebidensiya," Bulalacao said.

The Bureau of Immigration has a standing lookout bulletin order against Ricardo Parojinog.

The councilor went into hiding after Ozamiz City policemen raided their family's homes in July last year.

Policemen had seized shabu and drug paraphernalia, a shotgun, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, two hand grenades, and M79 ammunition from Ricardo’s house.

Earlier this month, authorities recovered various high-powered firearms, including two anti-tank rockets, during a raid on Ricardo's closed business properties. 

His brother late Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife, and 14 others were killed in police raid in July 2017 .

The former mayor's daughter, former vice mayor Nova Princess Parojinog, and son Reynaldo Jr. were arrested.

President Rodrigo Duterte in September last year offered a P5-million bounty for the arrest of councilor Parojinog, whose family has been linked to illegal drug operations. —LBG/KBK, GMA News